France’s Anti-Immigrant Front National Surging

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Marine Le Pen’s National Front party is well positioned to seize on the fallout from the terror attacks in France.

For many French voting in the second round of regional elections this Sunday, the attacks have crystallized what ails the French state. The country has sacrificed too much of its sovereignty, they say, to European Union policies that have left national borders open to migrants arriving without jobs or security checks.

At least two of the Islamic State terrorists who killed 130 people across Paris entered the EU by blending in with refugees arriving in Greece from Syria and Iraq, where the militant group has strongholds. The attackers hopscotched around the continent in preparation for the assault, assembling arms, explosives and rental cars used to carry out shootings.

The National Front is well positioned to seize on fallout from the terror attacks. The party, which uses the neo-fascist tri-color flame as its symbol, advocates much stricter immigration policies. Since taking over the National Front from her father in 2011, Ms. Le Pen has also rejuvenated its ranks by recruiting young supporters who now fuel its grass-roots efforts.